ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S “HOUSE DIVIDED” SPEECH

“A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand.”

New York Semi-Weekly TribuneJune 25, 1858

Abraham Lincoln opens his campaign as the Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois of Stephen A. Douglas with an impassioned speech against slavery (but not slaveholders). Boldly headlined on page six: “REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES. SPEECH OF THE HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, OF ILLINOIS, At the Republican StateConvention, June 16, 1858.” Lincoln states, in part, “We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was inititated with the avowed object and confident promise of putting an end to Slavery agitation…In my opinion, it will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed. ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.'” (a quote from Matthew 12, verse 25). Lincoln goes on to state, “I believe this Government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.” Lincoln’s speech is seconded in a superb Horace Greeley editorial which says, in part, “We need not ask attention to this concise and admirable statement. Mr. Lincoln never fails to make a good speech…and this is one of his best efforts. And its leading positions will be heartily indorsed by the great body of the Republicans of other States, as they already have been by those of Illinois.”

Eight pages, complete, and in fine, clean condition with old folds. Very few newspapers published Lincoln’s now legendary speech, and it is near impossible to locate another one anywhere. A very key opportunity for the Lincoln enthusiast/collector/scholar! SOLD